Makabu vs Papin rematch on September 3 in Kinshasa

Alexey Papin vs Ilunga Makabu
Alexey Papin vs Ilunga Makabu

On September 3, in Kinshasa, Congo, the WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KOs) will give rematch to Alexei Papin (13-1, 12 KOs). The date of purse bids was set for May 11, but it seems that the parties have come to an agreement on this fight.

Makabu, who has owned the World Boxing Council belt since last January, last fought in December when he knocked Olanrewaju Durodola out in the seventh round. Papin's last fight was in April.

The fight will be a rematch of their duel in August 2019 in Chelyabinsk, Russia. The fight, in which the WBC silver belt was at stake, ended in a split decision victory for Makabu.